Yesterday was the first day of the St. Olav Festival. After updating my blog at the library, I headed over to the Arch Bishop's Palace to take a look at the stalls/ market set up to look like the medieval times. Some of the stall owners were also dressed the part too. Out of maybe about 12 stalls, I saw 3 rather interesting ones. One showed how the people of those days dyed wool with natural colorings from plants and insects, the other a blacksmith stall and the last one a soap stone craving stall. There was also a stall selling bow and arrows. The people who were dressed up , especially the ones selling the bow and arrows look like they came out of Robin Hood story. So weird.
I came across the Gamle Bybro to the Dromedar Kaffebar to have my dose of iced latte. The procession through town would be at 1pm. I was actaully thinking of climbing up the steep hill again to go see the Fort which I forgot the last time. But since it was already almost noon and I didn't want to rush, I decided that I should head back to town instead and see the fort another day (probably later today).
By the time I came, there were already a lot of people lining the streets to see the procession. All I could see were the heads and banners that they were holding. After they left, the remains left behind by the horses. Smelly, smelly. I quickly rushed over to the cathedral to see if I could squeeze in, but of course tons of people were there too. So I went via the backway and managed to get into the Arch Bishop's Palace where the procession ended without much problem. The whole area around the Cathedral and the Arch bishop's Palace became very lively. Then the opening ceremony began. But everything was in Norwegian which I don't understand. But like what they say, music is an international language. The performer especially the guy who played the trumpet took my breath away. It was so beautiful. Nothing like the irritating sounds that trumpets can sometimes make and nothing like I have ever heard before. It was mystical. I am glad that I bought ticket to one of his performances with other musicians. Maybe I will buy another ticket to go to another one where he is the main guy.
I hung around till about 3.15pm and went to take my seat at the stand for the joustling match later. The fire truck came and they wet the ground to make it less dusty I guessed. There was also an ambulance on standby. The joustling event was more of an entertainment than a real match. The whole thing was also in Norwegian with bits of comedy here and there. It started with a lady made Cecilia who rode a horse that seemed like it could dance. It was doing different feet movements to the music. A very handsome looking horse too. After that, all the 'knights' came out with their horses. They were all dressed up in their various armour. There were altogether 6 of them. The first event was for them to use the long pole to hit a board. The winner was of course the one who could hit it right on the most times. For the next event, they had to use their poles to get as many small loops on their poles as possible. Followed by an event that required them to cut a cabbage head into 2 with their swords. Then the last event was the real match where they would try to poke each other with the long wooden poles. This is probably the most dangerous event though it looked like they were just having fun. It ended after an hour at about 5pm.
I proceeded to walk up to Wei's apartment to have my dinner. I was craving for instant noodles. So I did the 45 minutes up the hill all the way and was panting like a dog when I got there. Talked with Mike over the internet . Then Wei came to town with me to spend the night. Hahahhahhaha! No need to walk back to the hotel alone. He has gone to the Cathedral for his social programme this morning. He will be going to the Monks' Island in the afternoon.
I will probably go for my latte after this and head up to the fort. And later this evening, I am going to watch the Shetland Folkdance.
Posted by Tien-Ling at July 26, 2003 09:49 AM | TrackBack